IF YOU GOWhat: “Dan Kane presents Keila Román in Right to Life Concert” Where: Wyckoff Country Club, 233 Easthampton Road, Hol´yoke When: April 27 at 7:30 p.m. Cost: $20/ $10 for students For info: (413) 265-9369

HOLYOKE – HOLYOKE – When she begins singing in Spanish many people are taken by surprise.

“I’m often asked if I’m Portuguese or some other race, but I always make it clear that I’m Puerto Rican and proud of that,” says 15-year-old Keila Román.

From the age of 3, Keila spent her time singing and entertaining her family. When she was 10, her mother decided to have her audition for the highly-respected Dan Kane Singers.

“We thought she had real talent, and we wanted her to explore that,” said her mother Maria Román.

Dan Kane remembers the first time he met Keila.

“She was this little thing, and she just cried and cried because she was so shy. But, eventually I heard her sing, and she was an exceptional singer,” he said.

Now a sophomore at Holyoke High School, Keila recently performed the role of Elle Woods in the high-school musical version of “Legally Blond.”

“It was an honor for me to play this role especially just being a sophomore and being a Hispanic,” she said. “I actually didn’t even audition for that part.”

This week, the young singer is preparing for her next big performance, a concert fund-raiser at Wyckoff Country Club to raise money for the Pioneer Valley Citizens for Life organization.

“It’s an important cause for me because I think a lot of times young girls who get pregnant feel like everyone is judging them and that’s not the case. There are organizations and people who are willing to help them,” she said.

This is the second year Keila has held the fund-raiser.

Kane said he believes it is an excellent cause, especially with the high pregnancy rate in Holyoke.

“As a native of Holyoke I have seen the struggles the city has had with teen pregnancy and poverty. I think it’s commendable that at such a young age Keila is speaking her mind and raising money for something she believes in,” he said.

Kane said the concert will include Broadway and pop standards as well as some contemporary music for the younger crowd. Keila will perform in both Spanish and English.

“She is the only one of my soloists who can sing in Spanish, and it’s always a crowd pleaser,” he said.

Maria Román said she is thankful to Kane for his guidance and help over the years.

“He has been a blessing in our lives and has given her opportunities that a young Latina girl from Holyoke might not get otherwise,” she said.

Kane said he has no doubt that Keila will one day be a professional singer.

“All parents think their kids are so talented and gifted, but Keila truly is. She is an exceptional person and a wonderful singer and I know she will get far,” he said.